Benefits of a 2 Person Freestanding Tub

Finding your old bathtub too small for your growing household? Or maybe your current bathtub makes you feel cramped and unable to relax? Then perhaps you should consider a larger bathtub that can easily accommodate you and your family. Let us look at some of the benefits a larger bathtub can bring you and see if a 2 person freestanding bathtub is the right fit for you.  

8 Benefits of a Larger Freestanding Bathtub 

Large freestanding bathtubs provide many benefits to the user such as better aesthetics and promoting better health.  

Popularity/Better Aesthetic

High popularity means that you are provided a better aesthetic for your bathroom. Popularity also means your bathtub is available in a wider variety of higher quality materials than unpopular bathtub styles. This means you have a greater selection of materials, styles and color types available to you. Popular bathtubs also result in a greater number of skilled professionals that know how to install and maintain your bathtub which ensures the longevity of your bathtub. Lastly, with a more popular bathtub, your bathroom will appear more modern and aesthetically vibrant to visitors and guests. 

High Resale Value

As stated previously, freestanding bathtubs increase the resale value of your home. This is a result of the high popularity of freestanding bathtubs in combination with the higher quality of material in their construction. A shower addition will also help in this regard to boost the overall value of the bathroom. On average, a freestanding tub allows homeowners to recoup at least 60% of their investment, making it a very attractive addition to your home with little drawback. 

Reduced Danger

With added room, a larger bathtub is much safer than a smaller one as there is more surface area to climb in and out of comfortably. The added size can also give you more space to provide safety measures for those with ADA or mobility issues, such as platforms, guide rails, and non-slip surfaces.  

Better Water Control

A larger bathtub means that if you want to convert your bathtub into a shower combo, there is less chance of water overflowing onto your bathroom floor. With a larger tub, you can shower much easier without fear of getting your entire bathroom wet, and with the addition of faucet stands, you can control how much water ends up in your bathroom. 

Higher Quality Material

Although it may seem quite expensive, a larger bathtub is a worthwhile investment. Compared to a smaller bathtub, choosing a 2-person tub in a high-quality material will not only be more comfortable for your bathing experience, but you will reap the benefits of the material itself over time. Higher quality material will require less maintenance and care than cheaper material, so over time, you will save money.  

More Room for Additional Features

Larger space means more room for additional amenities for your bathtub. Consider installing a caddy or Winetray for extra storage when you just want to relax. Bubbles also make bath time interesting, so consider a whirlpool addition or more heating controls to amp up the bath experience. The larger the bathtub, the more additions you can include to transform your bathroom. 

Good for Multiple Children

Due to its large size, freestanding bathtubs can easily accommodate multiple people at once. This is great for households with multiple children that cannot bathe themselves. Their large size can allow parents to bathe alongside their children to prevent any accidents and creates a more comforting bathing experience due to the increased size. 

More Room to Relax and Soak

The primary benefit of a large freestanding bathtub is increased room to relax and soak. If you happen to be a taller individual, you may find that on average, most bathtubs are difficult to actually sit in and a larger bathtub can actually allow you to relax with your whole body submerged. A full body soak can also provide a large number of health benefits as it will massage your joints and muscles and can be a great way to de-stress your body.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Larger Tub?

Before purchasing a large bathtub, here are a few factors to consider: 

Who will use it?

When purchasing a bathtub, a large consideration should be who will use it? A small bathtub is ideal for elderly and small children as they are low to the ground and the smaller size makes them easier to climb in and out of. Medium to large sized bathtubs are ideal for young adults who tend to be taller individuals, allowing them to more easily access the larger sized bathtubs. Who ends up using your bathtub is important as you must consider the needs of your household carefully. 

How easy will it be to install?

Bathtubs are large objects, requiring at least 2-3 people to install. The benefit of a freestanding bathtub though, is that it can be placed anywhere in your bathroom. On the other hand, a drop-in bathtub requires pre-sighting for your bathtub and a build up recess for it to be placed in. With assistance, bathtubs are very straightforward and easy to install, so long as you measure the appropriate space and clear it out before installing. 

How often do I need to clean and maintain?

Generally, larger bathtubs will require more maintenance than smaller bathtubs. How often you will need to clean and maintain your bathtub will also depend on the material of your bathtub. Cheaper material such as fiberglass and acrylic will require deep cleaning at least several times a month to prevent rusting or permanent damage. More expensive materials such as copper, stone resin and cast iron can go for several months without anything more than a simple wash with warm water. It is for this reason that you should consider more expensive materials for your bathtub as it will save you a great deal of time and labor. 

Is the bathtub too large for 2 people? 

Some bathtubs can be quite large and the extra space may not be appropriate for your bathroom size. Before looking into a 2 person freestanding bathtub, check to see if the bathtub size is appropriate for your home. Some bathtubs can accommodate anywhere from 4-6 full grown adults so it is important that you choose a bathtub that is suitable for your household. 

How does the tub feel?

One of the most important aspects of choosing a new bathtub is how it feels. If the bathtub isn’t comfortable, then it isn’t worth the money and effort to install it. One way you can ensure that you are happy with your purchase is to go to different store showrooms and test out bathtubs before purchasing one. Remember that your bathtub should be comfortable in any position, whether it is prone, sitting or a full recline. 

Recommended Materials for a 2-Person Tub

So now that you are considering a 2-person tub, what materials should you choose? 

Copper

A popular choice for a reason, copper is among the best bathroom materials available as it is highly durable, provides excellent heat retention, has low maintenance when compared to other materials, and is quite comfortable. However, the biggest drawback is its cost. Copper bathtubs are not widely available, so they must be custom-made, drastically increasing your price point. Copper is also quite heavy, making it difficult to install.  

Stone Resin

Another popular choice, stone resin is a composite material that combines natural stone with a strong binder such as resin. The result is a material that has the durability, feel, and heat retention of natural stone but is much cheaper and lighter. For many bathrooms, stone resin is a popular choice for those who want a luxury material without paying for it.  

Acrylic

A strong choice as acrylic bathtubs are available nearly everywhere you can shop for a bathtub. Acrylic has modest heat retention, is relatively inexpensive, and quite durable. However, acrylic will require consistent maintenance and most bathtubs will last anywhere from 10-20 years, even with proper care. So if you are considering acrylic for your freestanding bathtub, just remember that you will have to replace it within that time to avoid material degradation. 

Natural Stone

Natural stone is a beautiful choice as it uses natural rocks such as granite, slate, marble and quartz, resulting in a unique bathtub. Natural stone has excellent heat retention, is highly durable, and is very comfortable to use. The negative about natural stone is it’s overall cost. The material is expensive to work with, so expect to pay a premium for the bathtub and expect to pay even more for the installation cost as it is much heavier than other bathtubs. However, if you decide on natural stone for your freestanding tub, you’ll certainly have a luxurious centerpiece for your bathroom.

Common Freestanding Bathtub Sizes for 2 People

These are the common sizes of a 2 person freestanding tub.

• On the small end, you have 61 inches, which has a width of 31.5 inches and a height of 23.6 inches. This remains true for the 62.9 and 63 inches as these bathtubs are very similar in size with small increments.
• A medium sized two person bathtub starts at around 66.9 inches long with a width of 33.5 inches and a height of 22 inches.
• The largest of the medium sized bathtubs comes in at 70 inches with a width of 35.4 inches and a height of 22.5 inches. Lastly, we have 72.8 and 74.8 inches, which provides a generous width of 32.7 inches and 47 inches respectively and a height of 23.6 inches.

Additional Features

Consider some additional features to add to your 2-person tub.

Jets/hydrotherapy

Jets and hydrotherapy provide a great addition to any bathtub, as it can greatly enhance your experience. You can either install jets in your bathtub itself or you can install a tub surround that is equipped with jets. Then simply power your jets and allow them to massage you after a long day. You can further enhance this by using bath bombs or scents, but generally, as long as your muscles are massaged by the jets, that is more than enough. 

Heating

You can install different heating controls with your bathtub through phone applications or your thermostat. Simply setup the controls with your bathtub and you can have your bathtub reach optimal temperature before you even arrive home. These controls are also handy when you are bathing and are too relaxed to reach for the water controls. Voice activation options are also available to enhance your convenience further. 

Shower

You can convert your freestanding tub into a 2-person shower with the additional space provided. Baths are only sometimes practical every day of the week, and with the added functionality of a shower, you can conserve water and your water bill in the long run.

Large bathtubs make fantastic additions to any home that has the space for it. So the next time you are on the market for a new bathtub or remodel, consider a larger sized bathtub. It will provide you with an attractive centerpiece for your bathroom and more importantly, a relaxing oasis for your entire household to escape after a long day’s work.